Adjustable upper body garment

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to an upper body garment that contains a mechanism which allows the user to adjust the bust size of said garment. Said mechanism would consist principally of a panel located generally below the armpit. A zipper would be located at the top of the panel under the armpit, at the location of the vertical seam commonly found on most upper body garments. As the zipper tab is lowered from the armpit, the strands of the zipper will separate and expose the panel. This action would gradually increase the amount of bust room available for the user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention generally relates to an upper body garment. More particularly, this invention describes an upper body garment with a zippered panel below the armpit, which can be altered in order to accommodate different bust sizes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As there is large variation in bust size among different people, it is difficult for clothing designers to create upper body garments that accommodate all segments of the population. The term “upper body garment” is meant to include shirts, blouses, dresses, sweaters and all other garments that are intended to be worn on the upper body, including both sleeved and sleeveless garments. While the traditional sizes such as extra-small, small, medium, large and extra-large may be sufficient to accommodate for variations in height and general body composition of the intended population, these sizes do not account for the differences in bust sizes of members of said population.

For example, a taller woman with a smaller bust size may require a large or extra-large blouse due to her height. However, such a blouse would leave a disproportionate amount of room in her bust area and create an unflattering look. Conversely, a shorter woman with a larger bust size may prefer a small or extra small blouse due to her petite frame. However, such a blouse would be uncomfortably tight in the chest.

Unfortunately, in the past, designers have been unsuccessful in finding a solution to this problem, forcing countless people to either fit into clothing that does not properly accommodate their dimensions, or to tailor their clothing in order to achieve a better fit.

There have been attempts to create articles of clothing that are adjustable to fit different body types. One such reference discloses zippers placed on the two bottom sides of a waistcoat or vest in order to aid users in slipping into the garments from the head down by loosening the zippers. See U.S. Pat. No. 1,927,179 (Julius C. Levinsohn). This reference does not disclose the panel in the present invention, and it is not intended to make the user more comfortable while wearing said garment.

Another reference discloses a t-shirt with a stretchable material concealed by a zipper all along the lateral sides of the garment. See PCT App. No. WO2012/049687 A1 (Chadron Baloo). However, the adjustable properties of this invention are not close in scope to those of the present invention. The reference is intended to increase garment flexibility in the shoulder, armhole and side seams while the user is performing activities such as golf. The garment is not intended to aid in the user's comfort when immobile, and further not able to accommodate the large variations in bust size that is accomplished by the present invention.

Other references describe a garment with zippers located throughout the garment, for the purpose of venting heat away from the user. See U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,213 (Kathryn Maurer) and Pub. No.: US 2006/0277652 A1 (Shinpei Okajima). However, these references do not address the problem addressed by the present invention as set forth above, and fail to achieve the same result as the present invention.

Other references disclose garments that contain zippers along the sides of the garment. See Pub. No. US 2004/0111783 A1 (Kyu Nam Lee), Pub. No. US 2012/0096622 A1 (Rebecca Johnson), and Pat. No. EP 1609380 A1 (Babette Schubeis). These references also do not disclose the V-shaped panel.

Finally, other references disclose adjustable brassieres for women, but do not incorporate their inventions into traditional upper body garments, do not operate using the same zipper mechanism as the present invention, and do not contain the V-shaped panel. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,642 (Hyman Robins) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,650,5363 (Jack J. Lo Cascio).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an upper body garment that contains a mechanism which allows the user to adjust the bust size of said garment in order to accommodate their personal body type. Said mechanism would consist principally of a V-shaped panel, with said panel located generally below the armpit and between the user's body and the rest of the garment. A zipper would be located at the top of the panel under the armpit, at the location of the vertical seam commonly found on most upper body garments. The zipper would be positioned so that the pull tab is on the top when the zipper is closed.

When the zipper tab is positioned at its highest point, the panel would be fully concealed, and the user would not be afforded any additional bust room. As the zipper is lowered, additional portions of the V-shaped panel would be revealed, and said panel would expand the overall dimensions of the garment in the bust area for the user. When the zipper tab is positioned at its lowest possible point, the entire V-shaped panel would be revealed, and the user would be afforded the maximum amount of bust room of any configuration of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further satisfy the recited objectives, a detailed description of typical embodiments of the invention is provided with reference to appended drawings that are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention with a 5 inch zipper from the front side, with the sleeve on one side of the garment raised in order to reveal the V-shaped panel on that side. In this figure, the zipper tab is fully closed, with 5 inches left in the reserve.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention with a 5 inch zipper from the front side, with the sleeve on one side of the garment raised in order to reveal the V-shaped panel on that side. In this figure, the zipper tab has been opened approximately halfway, with 2.5 inches left in the reserve.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention with a 5 inch zipper from the front side, with the sleeve on one side of the garment raised in order to reveal the V-shaped panel on that side. In this figure, the zipper tab has been fully opened, with no room left in the reserve.

FIG. 4 shows a full body view of the invention from the front side, with the sleeve on one side of the garment raised in order to reveal the V-shaped panel on that side. In this figure, the zipper tab is fully closed.

FIG. 5 shows a full body view of the invention from the front side, with the sleeve on one side of the garment raised in order to reveal the V-shaped panel on that side. In this figure, the zipper tab has been opened approximately halfway.

FIG. 6 shows a full body view of the invention from the front side, with the sleeve on one side of the garment raised in order to reveal the V-shaped panel on that side. In this figure, the zipper tab is fully open

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the front and back side, respectively, of the invention with the zipper closed fully.

FIG. 9 shows a close up of the invention with the zipper fully closed.

FIG. 10 shows a side profile view of the invention in this setting, with its effect on the intended bust size.

FIG. 11 shows a close up of the invention with the zipper closed approximately halfway.

FIG. 12 shows a side profile view of the invention in this setting, with its effect on the intended bust size.

FIG. 13 shows a close up of the invention with the zipper fully open.

FIG. 14 shows a side profile view of the invention in this setting, with its effect on the intended bust size.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not as restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims and their combinations in whole or in part rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The present invention pertains to an upper body garment with a V-shaped panel located generally below the armpit, with said panel positioned between the user and the rest of the garment. Said panel would have an edge that is unattached to the torso section of the garment while the other panel edges would be attached to said torso section. A zipper would be located at the top of the panel under the armpit, at the location of the vertical seam commonly found on most upper body garments. The zipper would be positioned so that the pull tab is on the top when the zipper is closed.

This setting, with the zipper located at the top of the panel, would represent the tightest fit on the garment. FIG. 1 demonstrates such a setting. Here, the invention 20 is presented with the left arm sleeve 22 raised in order to make the zippered panel mechanism visible. The zipper runs up along the side of the invention, and terminates at the intersection 24 of the garment's vertical seam and the armpit. The zipper tab is currently located at this intersection 24 which represents the highest point of the zipper, and leaving the full length of the zipper in the zipper reserve 26. The V-shaped panel 28 is not visible in this setting, as it is underneath the garment and concealed by the zipper. FIG. 4 represents the same configuration as FIG. 1 except that it shows the invention as part of a complete outfit.

FIG. 10 also represents this same configuration of the invention from a side profile view of the invention 96. The zipper runs up the vertical seam of the garment until it reaches the intersection 100 of the vertical seam and the arm hole 98. This setting leaves the full length of the zipper in the zipper reserve 102, and conceals the V-shaped panel 104 behind the garment. This setting results in the least amount of available bust room of all configurations. A close-up view of this setting, focused on the zippered, V-shaped panel mechanism, is shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the front and back side, respectively, of the invention 84, 88 with the zipper 86, 90 closed fully.

If a user wanted to loosen the garment, they would lower the zipper tab, and separate the sides of the zipper. This action would reveal the V-shaped panel and provide more lateral space for the user, principally in the bust area. The user would be able to continue lowering the zipper until a comfortable position is reached. FIG. 2 shows a setting where the zipper tab is moved approximately halfway down the zipper. Here, the garment 30 and sleeve 32 are positioned as in FIG. 1. The zipper is also located in the same position, at the intersection 34 of the garment's vertical sleeve and arm hole. However, in this figure, the zipper tab has been lowered to a position approximately halfway down the zipper, leaving approximately half of the zipper in the reserve 36 and approximately half of the zipper open and separated into its two component strands 38. This setting leaves a portion of the V-shaped panel 40 exposed, giving the user additional room in the bust area. FIG. 5 represents the same configuration as FIG. 2 except that it shows the invention as part of a complete outfit.

FIG. 12 also represents this same configuration of the invention from a side profile view of the invention 110. The zipper runs up the vertical seam of the garment until it reaches the intersection 114 of the vertical seam and the arm hole 112. This setting leaves the approximately half of the zipper length in the reserve 116, and half of the zipper length separated into its component strands 118. This setting leaves a portion of the V-shaped panel 120 exposed. This setting results in some additional bust room for the user. A close-up view of this setting, focused on the zippered, V-shaped panel mechanism, is shown in FIG. 11.

The loosest fit for said garment would be with the zipper tab at the bottom position. FIG. 3 shows such a position. Here, the garment 42 and sleeve 44 are positioned as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The zipper is also located in the same position as these other figures, at the intersection 46 of the garment's vertical sleeve and arm hole. In this configuration, however, the zipper tab has been moved to its lowest position, leaving no room in the zipper reserve, and separating the full length of the zipper into its component strands 48. This setting causes the V-shaped panel 50 to be fully visible, and creates the maximum amount of additional room in the bust area. FIG. 6 represents the same configuration as FIG. 3 except that it shows the invention as part of a complete outfit.

FIG. 14 also represents this same configuration of the invention from a side profile view of the invention 126. The zipper runs up the vertical seam of the garment until it reaches the intersection 130 of the vertical seam and the armpit 128. This setting separates the entire length of the zipper into its component strands 132. This setting leaves the entire V-shaped panel 134 exposed and results in the most available bust room for the user of all of the configurations. A close-up view of this setting, focused on the zippered, V-shaped panel mechanism, is shown in FIG. 13.

The invention can be made available in a variety of sizes in order to accommodate the height and general body composition of all or most of the intended consumer base. For example, the garment can be made available in extra-small, small, medium, large and extra-large.

The panel can be made of any fabric; said fabric being with or without stretchable properties. One embodiment of the invention would contain a panel composed of a blend of cotton and lycra. Said composition could contain between 80% and 100% cotton, and between 0% and 20% lycra. Ideally, the composition would contain approximately 95% cotton and approximately 5% lycra.

Another embodiment of the invention would contain a panel composed of a blend of rayon and lycra. Said composition could contain between 80% and 100% rayon, and between 0% and 20% lycra. Ideally, the composition would contain approximately 97% rayon and 3% lycra.

One embodiment of the invention would have the V-shaped panel of the same color, style and/or material as the rest of the garment. This would be done so that the V-shaped panel would remain relatively inconspicuous to one viewing the garment. The V-shaped panel may also be of a different color, style and/or material if the designer so chooses.

Another embodiment of the invention would contain an blind zipper, more specifically, a zipper sewn into the interior of the garment so as to the hide the zipper from one looking at the exterior of the garment.

Still another embodiment of the invention would have a zipper of four to five inches in length. Under this embodiment, the zipper when fully closed would accommodate a bust size of A. Further, a zipper closed approximately halfway would accommodate a bust size of B to C. Finally, a zipper fully open would accommodate a bust size of D or DD. Zipper locations between these described points could be used to conform to the user's exact bust size.

Obviously numerous modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims. Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A garment comprising: a) a torso section formed with a first and a second arm opening disposed on opposite sides thereof; b) first and second vertical openings starting respectively from said first and second arm openings and extending downward, each said vertical opening having two lateral edges; c) first and second arm section attached to said torso section by seam following said first and second arm openings, respectively; d) first and second fabric panels attached to said torso section behind said first and second vertical openings; and e) first and second closure members attached to said lateral edges for selectively closing said first and second vertical opening from the bottom toward said respective arm openings to selectively change the size of said vertical openings and a lateral separation of said lateral edges, to conform the size of the torso section to the bust size of the wearer.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein each said closure member is adapted to selectively enable the user to set said openings vertical openings to a fully open position in which said lateral separation is selected to conform the size of the torso portion to a large bust size, said closure members being adapted to gradually close said vertical openings upwardly toward the arm pit zone thereby conforming the torso section to smaller bust sizes.
 3. The garment of claim 2 wherein said vertical openings are about 4-5 in long.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein each said panels are exposed and visible as said closure members are opened.
 5. The garment of claim 1 wherein each said panel is made of the same material as the rest of the garment.
 6. The garment of claim 1 wherein each said panel is made of a blend of approximately 95% cotton and 5% stretchable fabric.
 7. The garment of claim 1 wherein each said panel is made of a blend of approximately 97% artificial fabric and 3% stretchable fabric.
 8. The garment of claim 1 wherein said panel is V-shaped.
 9. The garment of claim 1 wherein each said panel has a top panel edge that is unattached to said torso section and lateral panel edges attached to said torso section.
 10. The garment of claim 1 wherein each said closure member is a zipper with zipper tracks attached to said lateral edges and a handle selectively movable from the bottom to the top of the respective vertical opening to selectively close said opening.
 11. The garment of claim 10 wherein said zipper is a blind zipper. 12-15. (canceled)
 16. An adjustable garment configured to be worn by women having different breast sizes comprising: a torso section including a front and a back panel joined at respective right and left seams, and defining a first and a second arm hole, each hole having a lowest point; first and second arm sections attached to said first and second arm holes respectively; first and second panels attached to said torso behind said seams; wherein said front and back define therebetween first and second vertical openings extending downwardly from the respective lowest points; and first and second zippers configured to selectively close said respective vertical openings, each zipper including a handle having a top position at the respective arm opening for closing the respective arm opening and an open position disposed a predetermined position below the top position, wherein when said handle is disposed at said open position, said vertical opening is at least partially open and separated; said vertical openings and zippers cooperating in said closed position to conform said torso for a woman having a first size breast, said vertical openings and zippers cooperating in said open position to conform said torso to for a woman having a second breast size.
 17. The garment of claim 16 wherein said first size and larger than said second size.
 18. The garment of claim 16 wherein said panels are not attached to the arms and said torso.
 19. The garment of claim 16 wherein said panels are made of an extendible fabric. 